LaborPress | Kerri O’Brien | October 27, 2025
Screening is the start, not the finish line. This week is about what happens next—and how to keep momentum after October ends.
If you receive an abnormal result, don’t panic—but don’t delay. Many people need extra imaging or a biopsy after a screening; most follow-ups still turn out not to be cancer. Your next steps:
- Stick with the process. Book additional testing promptly.
- Call your plan for navigation and financial counseling—don’t guess about coverage.
- Bring a buddy to appointments for note-taking and support.
- Ask about second opinions if you’re unsure. Many plans can arrange them quickly.
Leaders can help by checking in without prying. “How can we support you?” goes further than questions about specifics. Keep conversations confidential and offer practical help: rides, shift swaps, or a liaison to benefits.
Close the loop on data—respectfully. Ask your plan for de-identified quarterly counts of screenings and follow-ups to see what worked. Did your Screening Week boost participation? Did on-site scheduling help night shifts? Use those insights to plan the next push.
Book two future touchpoints now:
• January: “New year, new checkups”—re-run your one-pager and calendars.
• Spring: a follow-through week aimed at those who postponed in winter.
Keep peers activated. Your Peer Navigators can pivot from “how to schedule” to “how to follow up,” answering logistical questions and directing members to official resources. Rotate new faces into the navigator group so the work doesn’t fall on a few shoulders.
Tell the story of progress. Celebrate what your local did this month—screening carpools, translated materials, first-time appointments, or partnerships with imaging centers. Quick wins motivate next year’s efforts.
Members: if you postponed screening in October, this is your nudge. Call today. If you’re supporting a loved one in treatment, remember to take care of yourself—use EAPs, lean on coworkers, and ask for help.
We want to highlight your worksite wins so others can replicate them. Email stories and photos to Kerri at [email protected]. And keep following LaborPress on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for year-round tools, reminders, and member spotlights you can share.
October may end, but a culture of prevention and solidarity can run all year. Early detection saves lives, benefits make access possible, and union support turns good intentions into appointments kept. Let’s keep going—together.
